AusBonsai

Hi all, I recently found out about what is probably Australias only true deciduous tree, a beech!
Found only in tasmania, a relic from another age.
The leaves look awesome, like crinkle cut potato chips!
A

My question is, can you buy these at nurseries? I would love one.

Hi There

This would be a good place to start.
http://www.sydneywildflowernursery.com.au/

Australia has a few other deciduous trees: red cedar, Toona ciliata; white cedar, Malia azedarach, Illawarra flame tree, Brachychiton acerifolius, Siky Oak, Grevillia robusta...the last two appear not to lose all of their leaves at once. Of these white cedar and silky oaks seem to have he best potential for for making little trees.

Cheers
Symon

They celebrate this tree every year in Tasmania, with various Fagus events. These trees prefer to live in high elevation areas with pretty extreme winters. I believe some have tried to keep them... good luck

Edit: I believe it's Tasmania's only native deciduous.

itsfullofstars wrote:Hi all, I recently found out about what is probably Australias only true deciduous tree, a beech!
Found only in tasmania, a relic from another age.
The leaves look awesome, like crinkle cut potato chips!
A

My question is, can you buy these at nurseries? I would love one.

It's a most beautiful plant but I wouldn't bother trying it unless you have about 40 years experience in growing very touchy species which do not like over heating in summer and probably need the right type of mycorrhizae for long term survival.
I would be interested in anyone's thoughts who may have kept it alive for more that 10 years. I managed about 6 many years ago.

Mike's right. Definitely a tree for an optimist. The ones I tried only lasted a couple of years. I don't think they like summer heat but there may be other factors influencing survival.

I would not class all those species as deciduous Symon. White cedar is definitely deciduous but the red cedars here still have a full cover of leaves even though we have had several -5 nights. I know they were bare for the first couple of winters so is it really deciduous? I think some species only drop leaves in extreme situations and if a tree

the last two appear not to lose all of their leaves at once

is it really deciduous? All evergreen trees shed older leaves, not all at once, but we don't consider them deciduous.
There are a number of species from the top end that drop all their leaves in the dry season so deciduous but not winter deciduous as we understand it - Adansonia gregorii (Boab), Eucalyptus platyphilla (only drops all leaves in quite dry situation), Eucalyptus tectifica (may be only partly deciduous), Kapoks - Cochlospermum fraseri and C. gillivraei, Termmalia ferdinandiana (Kakadu plum), Planchonia careya are a few I could find.

I was discussing Beach recently and they mentioned that altitude was a determining factor for survival on SOME species of Beach, which would explain why they thrive in Tasmania. Unfortunately I cannot remember which specific species. If people do know some tricks please share!

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Good posts thanks all.
Yes I was aware of other native trees which apparently lose leaves, but this beech is more like the northern hemisphere deciduous trees that turn pretty colours in autumn then drop all leaves.

shibui wrote: I would not class all those species as deciduous Symon. White cedar is definitely deciduous but the red cedars here still have a full cover of leaves even though we have had several -5 nights. I know they were bare for the first couple of winters so is it really deciduous? I think some species only drop leaves in extreme situations and if a tree

the last two appear not to lose all of their leaves at once

is it really deciduous? All evergreen trees shed older leaves, not all at once, but we don't consider them deciduous.
.

Hi Neil, this interesting about your red cedars, ours have had no leaves for almost two months, they do it every year. Would it be possible that they drop their leaves more commonly in warmer climates?
Cheers,
Symon

This is probably my favourite tree. I know the people in Hobart have had very little success with this species, I would love to have one but I know how difficult it would be. I am sure the nurseries are also aware, so obtaining one is not so easy.

I just read this....the last couple of sentences explain it.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-12/w ... ai/7051020

I have about a dozen of these ranging up to 20 years all seed grown. It is one of the most stunning plants in Australia.

I have only been working with them for the last four years very gently. Have not lost one yet but always a concerning time waiting for them to reshoot come spring.

My observations so far are that this species is for the most part single flush.
repotting should be done late winter early spring as the buds swell and at no other time.
the rootball should be insulated during the summer to prevent excessive heat.
shade during summer.
dont repot and prune vegetation within the same growing period.
Free draining soil medium that is not allowed to dry out.
growing this plant within a climate that is favourable to this species distribution, i.e. colder higher altitude areas.

We will see what happens this spring.


Jarryd

Good stuff can you post some pictures when they leaf out? On that note, when do they leaf out down there?

Will post some photos when I get the chance. None in bonsai pots yet all in development but a couple with great trunks. Should be in leaf by late September.